Wigan ready to shock Sydney Roosters

SYDNEY - Wigan coach Shaun Wane says his side are using memories of the famous World Club Challenge victory over Brisbane in 1994 as motivation for Saturday's clash with the Sydney Roosters.

The Warriors went into that game at Brisbane's ANZ Stadium — the last time this game was played in Australia — as huge underdogs and given little chance of winning.

However, they managed to shock Wayne Bennett's Broncos 20-14 in front of a crowd of more than 54,000, thanks to a heroic second-half defensive display, supported by a brilliant Jason Robinson try.

Wane's side will face a similar scenario going into the Roosters game at Allianz Stadium, with the NRL premiers $1.12 favourites to beat his $6.25 underdogs.

More than 2,000 Wigan fans have snapped up tickets for the game with half that number making the long journey from the north-west England.

Wane, who replaced Michael Maguire in the Warriors hotseat in 2011, is under no illusions as to the size of the task his team face when they run out against a star-studded Roosters side, but is quietly confident of an upset.

"I remember that game in 94 and how down on numbers they (Wigan) were," Wane told AAP.

"To turn up and play the way they did, it just shows that if you turn up with the right attitude and if your defensive skills are good, you can win.

"That's the challenge and what I have been saying to my players, it's about who wants it most."

The Roosters admit they will go into the game underdone, with just one trial game under their belts, and Wane acknowledged his side must try and catch the hosts cold early in the game.